Apparatus and method for transporting and deploying downhole completion components

ABSTRACT

An apparatus ( 50 ) for transporting and deploying completion components ( 140 ) for use in extended horizontal completions includes a container ( 52 ) having first and second openings ( 54, 56 ) that are substantially orthogonally disposed relative to one another. A support member ( 90 ) is securably coupled within the container ( 52 ) proximate the second opening ( 56 ). The support member ( 90 ) has a plurality of slots ( 92 ) that receive the completion components ( 140 ) in a predetermined order through the first opening ( 54 ) when the container is in a substantially horizontal position and that at least partially supports the completion components ( 140 ) when the container is in a non horizontal position such that the completion components ( 140 ) are removable through the first and second openings ( 54, 56 ) for sequential installation downhole.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to preventing the production ofparticulate materials from an extended horizontal wellbore traversing ahydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation and, in particular, to anapparatus and method for transporting and deploying completioncomponents that enhance the efficiency of gravel pack completions insuch wellbores.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its background willbe described in relation to gravel pack completions as an example. It iswell known in the subterranean well drilling and completion art thatparticulate materials such as sand may be produced during the productionof hydrocarbons from a well traversing an unconsolidated or looselyconsolidated subterranean formation. Numerous problems may occur as aresult of the production of such particulates. For example, theparticulates cause abrasive wear to components within the well, such astubing, chokes and valves. In addition, the particulates may partiallyor fully clog the well creating the need for an expensive workover.Also, if the particulate matter is produced to the surface, it must beremoved from the hydrocarbon fluids by processing equipment at thesurface.

One method for preventing the production of such particulate material tothe surface is gravel packing the well adjacent the unconsolidated orloosely consolidated production interval. In one type of gravel packcompletion, numerous joints of gravel pack screen are lowered into thewellbore on a workstring to a position proximate the desired productioninterval. A fluid slurry including a liquid carrier and a particulatematerial such as sand, gravel, proppants or the like, referred tohereinafter as gravel, is then pumped down the workstring and into thewell annulus formed between the gravel pack screens and the perforatedwell casing or open hole production zone.

The liquid carrier either flows into the formation or returns to thesurface by flowing through the gravel pack screens or both. In eithercase, the gravel is deposited around the gravel pack screens to form agravel pack, which is highly permeable to the flow of hydrocarbon fluidsbut blocks the flow of the particulates carried in the hydrocarbonfluids. As such, gravel packs can successfully prevent the problemsassociated with the production of particulate materials from theformation.

It has been found, however, that in extended horizontal completionswherein the producing interval may be several thousand feet, it may notbe feasible to perform a conventional gravel pack operation. In thesecases, numerous joints of prepacked gravel pack screen may be loweredinto the wellbore to a position proximate the desired productioninterval. The prepacked screens typically include a baked-resin of sandbetween two screening elements or between a screening element and anouter shroud. The prepacked layer within these gravel pack screens ishighly permeable to the flow of hydrocarbon fluids but blocks the flowof the particulates carried in the hydrocarbon fluids. As such,prepacked gravel pack screens also successfully prevent the problemsassociated with the production of particulate materials from theformation.

In these extended horizontal gravel pack completions, the process fordeploying the gravel pack screens is extremely time intensive as severalthousand feet of gravel pack screen may need to be installed. Typically,each forty-foot joint of gravel pack screen is constructed and tested ata manufacturing facility. The gravel pack screens are then packaged byplacing wood around the screens and securing the wood in place withsteel wraps. This packaging is designed to protect the gravel packscreens until they are unpackaged on site. The packaging is required asthe joints of gravel pack screen are typically secured together instacks with pipes supports positioned therebetween such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,547. This type of transportation systemprotects the individual joints from contacting one another and enablesthe movement of numerous joint at the same time.

It has been found, however, that this type of stacked transportationsystem leaves the joints of gravel pack screen susceptible to numerousperils. For example, the system does not protect the joints of gravelpack screen from external impacts, shocks or vibrations. This iscritical as movement of the stacks is typically accomplished using acrane. As such, it is common for the stack that is being moved tocontact a stationary stack, the surface onto which the stack is beingplaced or other heavy equipment in the area. Such contact may damage thegravel pack screens or cause a loss of integrity of the prepack layerwithin the gravel pack screens. Due to the potential for damage duringthe transportation process, each joint of gravel pack screen must beinspected at least twice. For example, in an offshore application, oneinspection typically takes place prior to leaving the dock and anotherinspection takes place once the screens arrive on the offshore platform.

When it is time to install the gravel pack screens downhole, the jointsof gravel pack screen are removed from the stack and placed one by oneon the catwalk using a crane. Each joint of gravel pack screen is thenunpackaged to remove the wood and steel wrap from around the screen.Each joint of gravel pack screen is then pulled up the vee-door, intothe rig substructure such that it can be made up to another joint. Thisprocess continues one joint at a time until the desired length of screenis assembled and installed. For example, if a 2000-foot interval inbeing completed, fifty joints of gravel pack screen must be assembledtogether. This assembly process may take as much as one hour per jointas each step in handling, unpackaging, inspecting, connecting andrunning the joints of gravel pack screen downhole must take place verycarefully as damage to a single joint of screen may result in a loss ofintegrity of the gravel pack. In addition, each step in transporting anddeploying the gravel pack screens is labor-intensive requiringsignificant human interaction with the screens and other heavy equipmentthat creates opportunities for injury.

Therefore, a need has arisen for an apparatus for transporting anddeploying completion components that improves the efficiency of gravelpack completions particularly in extended horizontal gravel packcompletions taking place offshore. A need has also arisen for such anapparatus that protects the gravel pack screens during transportationthereby eliminating the need for packaging of the gravel pack screensand minimizing the number of required inspections of the gravel packscreens. Further, a need has arisen for such an apparatus that reducesthe likelihood of injury during the deployment of the gravel packscreens on the rig site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein comprises an apparatus fortransporting and deploying completion components such as gravel packscreens that improves the efficiency of gravel pack completionsparticularly in extended horizontal gravel pack completions taking placeoffshore. The apparatus of the present invention protects the completioncomponents during transportation such that, for example, the need forpackaging of individual gravel pack screens is eliminated and the numberof required inspections of gravel pack screens is minimized.Importantly, the apparatus of the present invention reduces thelikelihood of bodily injury during the deployment of the completioncomponents on the rig site.

The apparatus for transporting and deploying completion components ofthe present invention comprises a container having first and secondopenings that are substantially orthogonally disposed relative to oneanother. More specifically, the container has a substructure including arear wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a bottom wall.The side walls are operably associated with the rear wall and the bottomwall is operably associated with the rear wall and the side walls.Preferably, each wall of the substructure is made from steel and iswelded to the adjacent walls.

A front panel is positionable opposite the rear wall. The front panelhas open and closed positions relative to the substructure toselectively permit and prevent access to the container through the firstopening. In one embodiment, the front panel is pivotally moveablerelative to one of the side walls to operate the front panel between theopen and closed positions. In another embodiment, the front panelincludes a pair of doors each of which is pivotally moveable relative toone of the side walls to operate the front panel between the open andclosed positions. In a further embodiment, the front panel may beremovably positionable opposite the rear wall to operate the front panelbetween the open and closed positions.

A top panel is positionable opposite the bottom wall. The top panel hasopen and closed positions relative to the substructure to selectivelypermit and prevent access to the container through the second opening.In one embodiment, the top panel is removably positionable opposite thebottom wall to operate the top panel between the open and closedpositions. In another embodiment, the top panel is pivotally moveablerelative to at least one of the rear wall and the side walls to operatethe top panel between the open and closed positions. In yet anotherembodiment, the top panel includes a pair of doors each of which ispivotally moveable relative to one of the side walls to operate the toppanel between the open and closed positions.

A support member is securably coupled within the substructure proximatethe second opening. The support member has a plurality of slots thatreceive and support the completion components. In one embodiment, aplurality of braces extends between the support member and the rearwall. For example, at least one brace may be positioned between eachslot of the support member. The slots of the support member are sizedsuch that the collar of a certain size of the completion componentcannot pass therethrough. Additionally or alternatively, insert membershaving slots may be positioned within the slots of the support member.The insert members may have a variety of slot widths and may be slidablyreceived within the slots of the support member such that differentinsert members may be interchangeably used within the support memberallowing the same container to accommodate a variety of sizes ofcompletion components.

In operation, the completion components are loaded within the containerin a predetermined sequence. A plurality of sets of spacers ispositioned within the container to prevent contact between adjacentcompletion components during transportation which eliminates the needfor packaging certain types of completion components as the spacers, thecontainer and the support member protect the completion components fromexternal shock and vibration as well as environmental factors. Inaddition, the container of the present invention allows for thecompletion components to be arranged within the support member in asequence that enhances completion efficiency. Specifically, not onlydoes the present invention increase completion efficiency by providing acontainer that may be positioned on or near the rig floor, but also, thepresent invention provides for an engineered deployment of thecompletion components wherein the individual completion components aredeployed from the container in the order in which the completion stringis assembled and installed downhole. Accordingly, as each completioncomponent is removed from the container with the traveling block and theaid of a crane, each joint of the completion components is raised intothe derrick then stabbed into the completion component that is at thetop of the completion string. Importantly, the completion components mayinclude a variety of different types of downhole components such asgravel pack screens, blank pipe, packers and the like. When thecontainer is loaded in a predetermined sequential manner, the deploymentof the completion components at the rig site is engineered such that thevarious completion components are deployed from the container, assembledat the rig floor and installed into the well in the desired sequence fordownhole operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an offshore oil and gas platformoperating an apparatus for transporting and deploying completioncomponents of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention with its front panelsopen and loaded with gravel pack screens;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus for transporting anddeploying completion components of the present invention taken alongline 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention with its top panelremoved and loaded with gravel pack screens;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention with its top panelremoved, its front panels open and its gravel pack screens deployed;

FIG. 6 is an isomeric view of a support member for an apparatus fortransporting and deploying completion components of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a set of spacers for an apparatus fortransporting and deploying completion components of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an apparatus for transporting anddeploying completion components of the present invention is operatingfrom an offshore oil and gas platform that is schematically illustratedand generally designated 10. A semi-submersible platform 12 is centeredover a submerged oil and gas formation 14 located below sea floor 16. Asubsea conduit 18 extends from deck 20 of platform 12 to wellheadinstallation 22 including blowout preventers 24. Platform 12 has ahoisting apparatus 26 and a derrick 28 for raising and lowering pipestrings such as a completion string 30 that may include tubulars such asprepacked gravel pack screens, production tubing and the like as well astools such as packers and safety valves that provide the path for theproduction of hydrocarbons from formation 14 to the surface.

A wellbore 32 extends through the various earth strata includingformation 14. Wellbore 32 has a substantially vertical portion 34 thathas a casing 36 secured therein by cement 38. Wellbore 32 also has asubstantially horizontal open hole portion 40 that traverses hydrocarbonbearing subterranean formation 14. In the illustrated embodiment, thefluids produced from formation 14 include particulate materials such assand. Accordingly, to prevent the problems associated with sandproduction, the completion of wellbore 32 requires sand control.

As the production interval associated with wellbore 32 is an extended,open hole, horizontal production interval, it is not desirable toperform a conventional gravel pack operation. Instead, the illustratedembodiment depicts completion string 30 including of numerous joints ofprepacked gravel pack screen 45 as well as other completion componentssuch as packers 43 and blank pipe 41. Preferably, prepacked screens 45include a baked-resin of sand between two screening elements or betweena screening element and an outer shroud such that prepacked screen 45will allow the flow of hydrocarbon fluids therethrough but block theflow of the particulates carried in the hydrocarbon fluids. In theillustrated embodiment, the completion components are being deployedfrom an apparatus for transporting and deploying completion components42 that is positioned on vee-door 44 of the rig.

Importantly, apparatus 42 enables a highly efficient completion processby allowing the sequencing of the completion components upon loadingapparatus 42. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the completioncomponents include a plurality of joints of production tubing or blankpipe 41, a plurality of packers 43 and a plurality of joints ofprepacked screen 45. These completion components are sequentially loadedinto one or more apparatuses 42 such that the various completioncomponents are deployable from the one or more apparatuses 42 in thesequence required downhole.

Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, production interval 46 hasthree prepacked screens 45 positioned therein between two packers 43.Likewise, production interval 48 has four prepacked screens 45positioned therein between two packers 43. Positioned in non productioninterval 49 are two joints of blank pipe 41. Accordingly, the completioncomponents for intervals 46, 48, 49 of wellbore 32 would be loadedwithin one or more apparatuses 42 such that theses completion componentsare sequentially deployable as follows:packer-screen-screen-screen-screen-packer-blank pipe-blankpipe-packer-screen-screen-screen-packer. As such, considerable rig timeis eliminated using the apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention.

Even though FIG. 1 depicts apparatus 42 positioned in a particular nonhorizontal angular orientation, it should be noted by one skilled in theart that the apparatus for transporting and deploying completioncomponents of the present invention is equally well-suited for deployingcompletion components at other angular orientations, including avertical orientation, depending upon the available space on the rigfloor. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the artthat the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower,upward, downward, top, bottom, front, rear and the like as used hereinare in relation to the apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention in its verticalorientation. Also, even though FIG. 1 depicts an offshore operation, itshould be noted by one skilled in the art that the apparatus fortransporting and deploying completion components of the presentinvention is equally well-suited for use in onshore operations.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, an apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention is depicted that isgenerally designated 50. Apparatus 50 includes a container 52 having afront opening 54, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, and a top opening 56,as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Container 52 has a substructure 58 formedfrom a rear wall 60, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 62, 64 anda bottom wall 66. In a preferred configuration of substructure 58, sidewalls 62, 64 are welded to rear wall 60 and form right anglestherebetween. Likewise, bottom wall 66 is welded to rear wall 60 andside walls 62, 64 forming right angles therebetween. Also in a preferredconfiguration of substructure 58, rear wall 60, side walls 62, 64 andbottom wall 66 are made from a steel, such as carbon steel.

In the illustrated embodiment, container 52 has a front panel 68 thatconsists of a door 70 and a door 72. Door 70 is pivotally moveablerelative to side wall 62. Likewise, door 72 is pivotally moveablerelative to side wall 64. As such, front panel 68 may be opened, as bestseen in FIGS. 2 and 5, and closed, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, toselectively permit and prevent access to container 52 through frontopening 54. In a preferred configuration of container 52, door 70 ishingeably mounted to side wall 62 and door 72 is hingeably mounted toside wall 64. In the closed position, doors 70, 72 are latched togetherto prevent doors 70, 72 from accidentally or prematurely opening orotherwise moving relative to side walls 62, 64, respectively. Likewise,in the open position, doors 70, 72 may be latched to side walls 62, 64,respectively, to prevent any undesired movement of doors 70, 72.

Even though front panel 68 has been described and depicted as two doors70, 72, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that frontpanel 68 could have alternative configurations that selectively permitand prevent access to container 52 through front opening 54. Forexample, front panel 68 could alternatively be a single door that ispivotally moveable relative to either side wall 62 or side wall 64. Asanother alternative, front panel 68 could be slidably received withingrooves in side wall 62 and side wall 64 such that front panel 68 isdetachable from container 52.

In the illustrated embodiment, container 52 has a top panel 74 that isslidably received within grooves 76, 78, 80 of side walls 62, 64 andrear wall 60. Top panel 74 is detachable from container 52, as best seenin FIG. 4, to selectively permit and prevent access to container 52through top opening 56. When top panel 74 is positioned within grooves76, 78, 80, one or more pins or other locking devices may be used tosecure top panel 74 within container 52 and prevent any undesiredmovement of top panel 74.

Even though top panel 74 has been described and depicted being slidablyreceived within grooves 76, 78, 80, it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that top panel 74 could have alternativeconfigurations that selectively permit and prevent access to container52 through top opening 54. For example, top panel 74 could alternativelybe a single door that is pivotally moveable relative to either rear wall60, side wall 62 or side wall 64. As another alternative, top panel 74could consist of a pair of doors that are pivotally moveable relative toside wall 62 and side wall 64, respectively.

A support member 90 is securably coupled by welding or suitabletechnique within container 52 near top opening 76, as best seen in FIGS.3 and 5. As best seen in FIG. 6, support member 90 has an upper supportportion 91. Upper support portion 91 has a plurality of slots 92 formedtherein. Depending upon the size of the completion components beingtransported and deployed from apparatus 50, the completion componentsmay be received directly within slots 92. In the illustrated embodiment,however, each of the slots 92 has a pair of grooves 94, 96 cut in a sidewall portion thereof that are capable of slidably receiving inserts 100therein. Each insert 100 has a slot 102 formed therein. As illustrated,slots 102 are narrower than slots 92. Importantly, inserts havingdifferent sized slots may be interchangeably received within slots 92such that apparatus 50 may accommodate a variety of sizes of completioncomponents.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, a plurality of completion componentsillustrated as gravel pack screens 104 are positioned within supportmember 90 of apparatus 50. Each of the gravel pack screens 104 has aninternally threaded box end 106 and an externally threaded pin end 108such that gravel pack screens 104 can be connected end to end byconventional means for installation within the wellbore. Box end 106 ofgravel pack screens 104 includes a collar 110 that has an outer diameterlarger than the outer diameter of the blank pipe portion 111 of gravelpack screens 104. As such, gravel pack screens 104 may be receivedwithin slots 102 of inserts 100 when apparatus 50 is, for example, in ahorizontal position as the outer diameter of blank pipe portions 111 ofgravel pack screens 104 is less than the width of slots 102. Inaddition, slots 102 of inserts 100 partially or fully support gravelpack screens 104 when apparatus 50 is in a non horizontal position or avertical position as the outer diameter of collars 110 of gravel packscreens 104 is greater than the width of slots 102.

In such a vertical orientation, support member 90 of apparatus 50supports the entire weight of the plurality of gravel pack screens 104that hang in tension therefrom. As such, support member 90 includes aplurality of braces 112, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6. Preferably,support member 90 has a brace 112 positioned adjacent to side wall 62and side wall 64, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, and a brace 112 betweeneach slot 92 extending from each leg 114 of upper support portion 91 torear wall 60, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. In a preferredconfiguration of apparatus 50, braces 112 are welded to upper supportportion 91 of support member 90 and rear wall 60 of container 52.

As gravel pack screens 104 are loaded within container 52, a pluralityof sets of spacers 120 are positioned at predetermined intervals withincontainer 52, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Spacers 120 are positionedbetween each row of gravel pack screens 104 to prevent contact betweenadjacent gravel pack screens 104 during transportation. As best seen inFIG. 7, spacers 120 include semi-cylindrical sections 122 having adiameter that approximates the outer diameter of gravel pack screens104. In this manner, movement of gravel pack screens 104 withinapparatus 50 is highly restricted. Spacers 120 may be substantiallyindependent of one another, as illustrated, or spacers 120 may bereleasably securable to one another using clamps, straps, rods or othersuitable coupling devices. In either case, spacers 120 protect gravelpack screens 104 from contacting one another during transportation orother movement of apparatus 50.

A typically operation using the apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention will now be described.After each joint of the completion components is manufactured andtested, the joints are positioned one by one into apparatus 50 such thatthe desired order of deployment from apparatus 50 is achievable.Apparatus 50 is prepared to receive the completion components bypreferably opening both front panel 68 and top panel 74. Thereafter, afirst layer of spacers 120 is placed at predetermined intervals withincontainer 52. The spacers 120 of the first layer are flat on one sideand have a plurality of semi-cylindrical sections 122, four in theillustrated embodiment, on the other side. In addition, inserts 100having the appropriate width to receive and support the completioncomponents are slidably received in slots 92 of support member 90.

The first row of the completion components, four in the illustratedembodiment, is then placed within apparatus 50 using one or more cranesor other suitable lifting equipment. The box ends 106 of the completioncomponents are received in slots 102 such that collars 110 will be abovesupport member 90 if apparatus 50 is placed in a vertical position. Thenext layer of spacers 120 is then placed within container 52 at thepredetermined intervals. These spacers 120 have a plurality ofsemi-cylindrical sections 122 on both sides. In the illustratedembodiment, this process continues until four rows of the completioncomponents are received within slots 102 of support member 90. The lastlayer of spacers 120 is then placed within container 52. The spacers 120in this layer are flat on one side and have a plurality ofsemi-cylindrical sections 122 on the other side. Once apparatus 50 isfilled with the desired number of the completion components, sixteen inthe illustrated embodiment, top panel 74 is inserted into grooves 76,78, 80 and secured in place. In addition, doors 70, 72 of front panel 68are operated to the closed position and secured in place. Apparatus 50may now be moved to a staging area with other similar apparatuses 50 forloading onto a truck, boat or other transportation medium.

Importantly, when the completion components are gravel pack screens 104,prior to placing gravel pack screens 104 into apparatus 50, it is notnecessary to package gravel pack screens 104 as apparatus 50 protectsgravel pack screens 104 from damage during transportation. In addition,use of apparatus 50 reduces the number of inspections of gravel packscreens 104 as gravel pack screens 104 are protected from impacts,shocks and vibrations within apparatus 50.

Once apparatus 50 has been transported to the well site, an offshoreplatform in the illustrated embodiment, and it is time to install thecompletion components downhole, apparatus 50 is placed in or near therig floor, at the vee-door in the illustrated embodiment. Doors 70, 72of front panel 68 are operated to the open position and secured in placeand top panel 74 is removed from grooves 76, 78, 80. In this locationand configuration, the box end 106 of each joint of the completioncomponents can be rapidly coupled to the traveling block with the aid ofa crane supporting the pin end 108. Each joint of the completioncomponents is raised into the derrick such that its pin end 108 can bestabbed into the box end 106 and coupled with the completion componentthat is at the top of the completion string. This joint of thecompletion string is then lowered part way into the well such that thenext completion components may be coupled therewith. This processcontinues until all of the completion components 104 in a givenapparatus 50 are deployed. Additional apparatuses 50 may then bepositioned for the deployment of additional completion components thatwere transported therein such that the desired sequence of completioncomponents are deployed, assembled and installed.

Importantly, use of the apparatus for transporting and deployingcompletion components of the present invention enhances the efficiencyof the completion operation by positioning numerous completioncomponents in close proximity to the rig floor and in a desireddeployment sequence. Additional efficiency gains are achieved using theapparatus for transporting and deploying completion components of thepresent invention when the completion components are gravel packscreens. In this case, gravel pack screens 104 that are transported inapparatus 50 do not require unpackaging at the well site as apparatus 50protects gravel pack screens 104 without the need for such packaging.Accordingly, the time required to install the numerous joints of gravelpack screens 104 in significantly reduced when gravel pack screens 104are deployed from apparatus 50. In addition, as the labor required todeploy the completion components using apparatus 50 is significantlyreduced, the likelihood for injury is also reduced.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

1. An apparatus for transporting and deploying completion components,the apparatus comprising: a substructure having first and second endsand including a rear wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side wallsoperably associated with the rear wall and a bottom wall operablyassociated with the rear wall and the side walls proximate the secondend of the substructure; a front panel positionable opposite the rearwall, the front panel having open and closed positions relative to thesubstructure; a top panel positionable opposite the bottom wallproximate the first end of the substructure, the top panel having openand closed positions relative to the substructure; and a support membersecurably positioned within the substructure proximate the first end,the support member having a plurality of slots that receive and supportthe completion components.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1wherein the front panel is pivotally moveable relative to at least oneof the side walls to operate the front panel between the open and closedpositions.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the frontpanel further comprises a pair of doors each of which is pivotallymoveable relative to one of the side walls to operate the front panelbetween the open and closed positions.
 4. The apparatus as recited inclaim 1 wherein the front panel is removably positionable opposite therear wall to operate the front panel between the open and closedpositions.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the top panelis removably positionable opposite the bottom wall to operate the toppanel between the open and closed positions.
 6. The apparatus as recitedin claim 1 wherein the top panel is pivotally moveable relative to atleast one of the rear wall and the side walls to operate the top panelbetween the open and closed positions.
 7. The apparatus as recited inclaim 1 wherein the top panel further comprises a pair of doors each ofwhich is pivotally moveable relative to one of the side walls to operatethe top panel between the open and closed positions.
 8. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1 further comprising braces extending between thesupport member and the rear wall.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8wherein at least one brace is positioned between each slot.
 10. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising insert members havingslots that are positionable within the slots of the support member, theslots of the insert members being narrower than the slots of the supportmember.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the insertmembers are slidably received within the slots of the support member.12. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least oneset of spacers positionable within the substructure that prevent contactbetween adjacent completion components.
 13. The apparatus as recited inclaim 1 wherein completion components are selected from the groupconsisting of gravel pack screens, packers and tubulars.
 14. Anapparatus for transporting and deploying completion components, theapparatus comprising: a container having first and second openingssubstantially orthogonally disposed relative to one another; and asupport member securably coupled within the container proximate thesecond opening, the support member having a plurality of slots thatreceive the completion components when the container is in a loadingposition and that at least partially support the completion componentswhen the container is in a deployment position.
 15. The apparatus asrecited in claim 14 wherein the completion components are loaded intothe container through the first opening when the container is in theloading position.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein thecompletion components are deployed from the container at least partiallythrough the second opening when the container is in the deploymentposition.
 17. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 further comprising adoor pivotally mounted to the container that is operable between openand closed positions to selectively permit and prevent access to thecontainer through the first opening.
 18. The apparatus as recited inclaim 14 further comprising a pair of doors pivotally mounted to thecontainer that are operable between open and closed positions toselectively permit and prevent access to the container through the firstopening.
 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 further comprising apanel removably securable to the container to selectively permit andprevent access to the container through the first opening.
 20. Theapparatus as recited in claim 14 further comprising a door pivotallymounted to the container that is operable between open and closedpositions to selectively permit and prevent access to the containerthrough the second opening.
 21. The apparatus as recited in claim 14further comprising a pair of doors pivotally mounted to the containerthat are operable between open and closed positions to selectivelypermit and prevent access to the container through the second opening.22. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 further comprising a panelremovably securable to the container to selectively permit and preventaccess to the container through the second opening.
 23. The apparatus asrecited in claim 14 further comprising braces extending between thesupport member and the container.
 24. The apparatus as recited in claim23 wherein at least one brace is positioned between each slot.
 25. Theapparatus as recited in claim 14 further comprising insert membershaving slots that are positionable within the slots of the supportmember, the slots of the insert members being narrower than the slots ofthe support member.
 26. The apparatus as recited in claim 25 wherein theinsert members are slidably received within the slots of the supportmember.
 27. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 further comprising atleast one set of spacers positionable within the container that preventcontact between adjacent completion components.
 28. The apparatus asrecited in claim 14 wherein completion components are selected from thegroup consisting of gravel pack screens, packers and tubulars.
 29. Amethod for transporting and deploying completion components for acompletion string for completing a well comprising the steps of: loadinga plurality of completion components in a container in a predeterminedsequence; transporting the container to a location proximate the well;and deploying the completion components from the container insubstantially the order in which the completion string is assembled andinstalled downhole.
 30. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein thestep of loading a plurality of completion components in a containerfurther comprises loading completion components of at least two typesinto the container.
 31. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein thestep of loading a plurality of completion components in a containerfurther comprises loading completion components of the same type intothe container.
 32. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein the step ofloading a plurality of completion components in a container furthercomprises selecting completion components from the group consisting ofgravel pack screens, packers and tubulars.
 33. The method as recited inclaim 29 wherein the step of loading a plurality of completioncomponents in a container further comprises loading the completioncomponents into slots of a support member securably coupled within thecontainer.
 34. The method as recited in claim 33 further comprising thestep of disposing insert members having slots within the slots of thesupport member before the step of loading the plurality of completioncomponents in the container, the slots of the insert members beingnarrower than the slots of the support member.
 35. The method as recitedin claim 29 wherein the step of loading a plurality of completioncomponents in a container further comprises loading the completioncomponents into the container through a first opening.
 36. The method asrecited in claim 35 wherein the step of deploying the completioncomponents from the container further comprises deploying the completioncomponents from the container at least partially through a secondopening that is substantially orthogonally disposed relative to thefirst opening.
 37. The method as recited in claim 29 further comprisingthe step of positioning at least one set of spacers within the containerthat prevent contact between adjacent completion components.
 38. Amethod for transporting and deploying completion components for acompletion string for completing a well comprising the steps of: loadinginto a container completion components of at least two types;transporting the container to a location proximate the well; andselectively deploying the completion components from the container toassemble the completion string in substantially the order in which thecompletion components are deployed.
 39. The method as recited in claim38 wherein the step of loading into a container completion components ofat least two types further comprises selecting completion componentsfrom the group consisting of gravel pack screens, packers and tubulars.40. The method as recited in claim 38 wherein the step of loading into acontainer completion components of at least two types further comprisesloading the completion components into slots of a support membersecurably coupled within the container.
 41. The method as recited inclaim 40 further comprising the step of disposing insert members havingslots within the slots of the support member before the step of loadingthe plurality of completion components in the container, the slots ofthe insert members being narrower than the slots of the support member.42. The method as recited in claim 38 further comprising the step ofpositioning at least one set of spacers within the container thatprevent contact between adjacent completion components.
 43. The methodas recited in claim 38 wherein the step of loading into a containercompletion components of at least two types further comprises loadingthe completion components into the container through a first opening.44. The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the step of deploying thecompletion components from the container further comprises deploying thecompletion components from the container at least partially through asecond opening that is substantially orthogonally disposed relative tothe first opening.